Christianity has changed the world in so many significant ways, many of which we are probably not even aware of on a daily basis. In his new book “Unimaginable: What our World Would be Like without Christianity,” Dr. Jeremiah J. Johnston explores the ways in which Christianity has impacted the world for good and also what the world would be like if not for Jesus and the values He instills in every human life. Dr. Johnston looks at the impact Christianity has had–and is having–on the world from a cultural, historical, political, and personal standpoint. Below are excerpts based on Dr. Johnston’s new book which draw attention to ten specific ways in which Christianity has influenced and changed the world for the better.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
1. The world looks radically different with the introduction of Christianity. What are the major changes, culturally?
The single greatest change was the concept that God loved his creation and especially human beings. In the pre-Christian world the gods were indifferent to humanity. Indeed, sometimes the gods were jealous of humans. Humans feared the gods and tried to placate them, even bribe them. But Christians proclaimed that “God is love” and that God sent his Son to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. Ancient pagans had never heard of such a thing. The idea that God actually loved them and was willing to send his Son to serve humanity, even die for humanity was almost incomprehensible.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstockphotos.com
Comments are closed.